Closed-door hearings ordered in Eesha Ashraf documentary case
Eesha was summoned for questioning during the investigation and her passport was withheld.
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The Criminal Court has decided to conduct proceedings behind closed doors in the case against Eesha Ashraf, who is accused of being the person interviewed in an Adhadhu documentary containing allegations against President Mohamed Muizzu.
Adhadhu released the documentary on 28 March, concealing the identity of the interviewee and altering her voice. The government has denied the allegations made against the President in the documentary.
Police began investigating the documentary about a month after its release. Eesha was summoned for questioning during the investigation and her passport was withheld. Police alleged that she had provided information for the documentary.
The Prosecutor General’s Office filed a qazf charge against Eesha at the Criminal Court on 27 September. Qazf under Section 612 of the Penal Code concerns knowingly making or repeating a false accusation of adultery or fornication.
The first preliminary hearing in the case began at 10am on Monday. Eesha appeared at the Criminal Court with a lawyer.
The hearing was expected to include verification of whether Eesha had received the complete case documents.
The Criminal Court’s schedule stated that the hearing would be closed to the public, meaning journalists were not permitted to attend. The case is being heard by Judge Ibrahim Zihunee.
Eesha previously held a political appointment at the President’s Office under the current administration. She was later transferred to positions at two ministries before being dismissed from government employment. During the police investigation, Eesha raised concerns that she had not been given an adequate opportunity to respond to the allegations against her.
Separate qazf charges have also been filed against Adhadhu CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and Editor Hassan Mohamed over their alleged involvement in producing and publishing the documentary. Their passports were withheld during the investigation, while both exercised their right to remain silent when questioned by police. Both have denied the charges in court.
Proceedings against Fiyaz and Hassan are also being conducted behind closed doors.
The Criminal Court has separately issued an order prohibiting the circulation of the documentary and barring direct or indirect discussion of its contents while the case is pending. The order also restricts disclosure of information concerning the parties and documents related to the proceedings.
The order has been challenged through the courts. Two Adhadhu journalists have also previously been imprisoned for contempt of court over alleged breaches of the restrictions.
